Cultural Gems of Black San Diego
San Diego has a thriving Black community with a long and storied history. Today, the community’s rich heritage of arts and culture continues. From arts centers to festivals and more, there’s plenty to explore.
Black Arts and Culture District
Where: Imperial Avenue between 61st and 69th streets and extending southward approximately 150 feet
The San Diego Black Arts and Culture District was a major win for the Fourth Council District. Spanning nine blocks in the heart of Encanto, this district breathes life into our community. It runs along Imperial Avenue, from 61st to 69th streets, and stretches 150 feet south. Here we’ve got a blend of commercial spaces, homes, art and culture. You can find spaces like The Block Club, Pillars of the Community, Graffiti Gardens, Second Chance, Marie Widman Park and The Mental Bar. These spots aren’t just locations, they’re the heartbeat of Black culture in San Diego.
The WorldBeat Cultural Center
Where: 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
The WorldBeat Cultural Center, a nonprofit multicultural arts organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the African Diaspora and Indigenous cultures, is located in the heart of Balboa Park. Founded in 1984 as WorldBeat Productions by Executive Director Makeda "Dread" Cheatom, the center offers a diverse range of programs in music, art, dance, education, sustainability and technology. It also hosts an in-house cafe called One Worldbeat Cafe, Balboa Park’s first all-vegan cafe. In August 2024, the San Diego City Council approved a 25-year lease agreement with the WorldBeat Center, ensuring its continued presence in the park.
Cooper Family Foundation / Juneteenth Celebration
Where: Memorial Community Park, 2975 Ocean View Blvd, San Diego, CA 92113
For over 50 years, the Cooper Family has been at the forefront of celebrating Juneteenth in San Diego. Sidney Cooper Sr., a respected businessman and pillar of the Black community, spearheaded the push for recognizing this important day. Their dedication has made Juneteenth a cornerstone event in the city, honoring freedom, history and culture every year.
Future is Color
Where: 2060 Logan Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
Founded in 2020 by Erwin Hines, Future Is Color is more than just a clothing brand, it's a platform for social change. With roots in Barrio Logan, the brand uses fashion to spread messages of justice, protest and community empowerment. Future Is Color isn't about profit; it's about building a community rooted in love, connection and liberation. Hosting Vinyl Listening Rooms, a Coffee Show, Jazz Nights/Studio Sessions, Dream Talks and a variety of art shows throughout the year.
San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art
Where: Connect online
The San Diego African American Museum of Fine Arts (SDAAMFA) is a museum without walls, and their mission is to exhibit and preserve the art and culture of African Americans and Black folks throughout the diaspora. The museum collaborates with other San Diego museums and organizations around the nation and in Africa for special exhibitions and programs. Their latest mission is backing the Black Arts and Culture District in Encanto.
Black San Diego Community and Events
Where: Connect Online
Black San Diego is a dynamic online community dedicated to connecting and empowering Black individuals in San Diego. With nearly 50,000 members on Facebook, it’s the go-to spot for finding and supporting Black-owned businesses. The group serves as a platform for sharing local events, resources, art, culture, and opportunities, and has become vital for networking and collaboration. It offers a space for discussions on a variety of topics, from cultural events to social issues. Throughout the year, Black San Diego hosts workshops that equip small Black businesses with the tools to operate, network, and grow together. Every February during Black History Month, they also present Daygo, a vibrant celebration of San Diego’s Black community and its rich culinary diversity, held in the heart of the Black Arts and Culture District.
SD Melanin Events
Where: Multiple locations
SD Melanin is a community and events organization based in San Diego, founded in April 2017 by Loren Cobbs. Since its inception, SD Melanin has organized over 200 in-person events, including black-tie galas, rooftop soirees, music concerts, bar crawls, healing circles, and networking happy hours, serving more than 10,000 attendees. From their long-standing Kinfolk Festival, which has been celebrating Juneteenth for nearly a decade, to their soulful Blanket Sounds gatherings at the Waterfront, these San Diego summer staple events have consistently created space for music, dance, food, games, and the full expression of Black joy.
Freshly Faded
Where: 2850 El Cajon Blvd, Unit 1, San Diego, CA 92104
Located in the heart of North Park, Freshly Faded, founded by Derrick Banks, is a Black-owned barbershop and retail space offering everything from classic hot towel shaves to smooth fades, tapers and mohawks. In addition to top-notch cuts, the shop features a curated selection of pins, t-shirts and vintage magazines that celebrate Black culture. More than just a barbershop, it serves as a vibrant gathering place for the Black community, hosting events that promote connection and creativity. It’s a space dedicated to conversation, Black men’s wellness and fostering a sense of community.
Chicano Park Day
Where: 1949 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113
Chicano Park Day is celebrated annually on the fourth weekend of April, celebrating the cultural and historical significance of Barrio Logan and honoring the vibrant murals and the unity of the Chicano and Latino communities. The park currently hosts America’s most extensive Chicano mural collection, with 100+ murals across the park and under the San Diego-Coronado bridge.
If you really look at the walls, the music, the spirit, you’ll see Black influence woven in, too. From Pio Pico, California’s last Mexican governor and a Black man, to the presence of Black families like mine who’ve been part of Southern Logan Heights for generations, our roots run deep. The Black Panthers marched alongside and inspired Brown Berets, and our struggles and our joys have often mirrored each other. In my song "Redlines," I say: "They gone try to say we not, because we dark, but we are the living murals of Chicano Park." The Black and Brown communities in San Diego have always been strong, and together, we’re even stronger. As the "Last Black Man in Barrio Logan," with generations of family here, I feel it's crucial to recognize the deep ties between our histories to stand in solidarity with one another while also building bridges with our Afro-Latina brothers and sisters.